Molly is panicked to say the least- and you're sure her raging maternal hormones aren't helping the matter. Susan manages to get your little sister calm as the doctors close her up and take her to recovery.

Addison leaves before they've finished with Molly, going straight into surgery on your niece. Before she leaves she pauses in front of you "I'll send Dr Brooks to give you updates."

You manage a grateful nod. Your head is still spinning- everything had changed for your family in a matter of moments. You suddenly have immense empathy for patients and their families. It's terrible being on the other side.

You and Susan sit with Molly in recovery, trying to talk about anything to keep your minds off of your fear.

After what seems like an hour- but is only fifteen minutes- Dr Brooks appears. You and Susan stand expectantly and Molly looks like all the color has drained from her face.

"The baby has a blockage in her intestine that needs to be removed, that's why she couldn't breathe."

You figured as much from what you were told in the OR, but hearing it confirmed still sets you on edge.

"Has the surgery started yet?" You ask, stepping closer to Dr Brooks.

"It just started."

"Does Dr Montgomery have good access?" You feel a responsibility to ask these questions that Susan and Molly wouldn't know to ask. You've talked to enough patient's families to know that most of the time Doctors don't give the families the full story. You want to know exactly what's going on.

Dr Brooks seems sympathetic "yes, it looks like it. Dr Montgomery didn't see any immediate issues."

It's a small relief, but it makes you breathe a little easier.

As Dr Brooks leaves, Molly turns to you, her gaze determined.

"Meredith" she says "how bad is it?" Her tone dares you to lie to her. In another situation you might joke that Molly had clearly inherited Susan's mother-lion tendencies. Instead you try to quickly figure out how to tell your sister the truth without making her hysterical.

"Jejunal atresia is tricky with newborns, but if Addison thinks that there is good access, good visibility, then that's a great sign." You force your voice to be calm, and you sit beside your sister.

Molly puts a hand to her forehead and breathes deeply. "I need to call Eric, but I don't even know what to tell him." Her breath quickens and tears come to her eyes "she doesn't even have a name" she moans "I can't even name her because I'm not sure how long she'll be mine."

Molly's words make your throat feel clogged with emotion and Susan flies into action.

"Hey, hey" she says, sitting on Molly's other side and making Molly look at her "she's going to be okay. And we'll call Eric together, alright? It's going to fine… it's going to be alright…"

As Susan hugs Molly close, she looks at you over your sister's shoulder, her eyes teary and concerned. She's keeping it together for Molly, but you know your step mother is practically at her breaking point.

As Molly talks to Eric on the phone, long distance, you leave to call Lexie. Susan had asked you to call her and your father. "She'll ask questions I won't know the answers to" Susan had fretted helplessly, and you'd quickly agreed.

Lexie picks up on the first ring. "Oh thank God, we've been waiting for one of you to call! Are we officially aunts?"

You cringe at Lexie's bubbly excited voice "we are" you say weakly. And instantly you've given yourself away.

"What's wrong?" Lexie's tone changes immediately, "is everything okay? Is Molly okay?"

"Molly is fine. Lex, the baby has jejunal atresia."

There is a brief moment of silence before Lexie responds, her voice odd and tinny, "she-uh-she-what? Is she in surgery?"

"Yeah, she is. So far it's going well."

"Oh my god" Lexie breathes, as if the weight of it is sinking in. "Oh my god. How's Molly?"

"She's hanging in there" you say tiredly "she's on the phone with Eric."

"I can't believe this, I…"

"I know"

"You'll call me as soon as you know something?"

"I will" you assure.

"I wish I was there" she says next- her voice seeming on the verge of tears.

"I know" you say, attempting to keep your own voice steady "but you wouldn't be able to do anything here either, we're just waiting too."

Talking to Lexie is hard- she's the only other person in your family who realizes the seriousness of this situation. Lexie knows, as well as you, that your niece could die. The risks are always high with babies this young.

The next hour passes sluggishly slow. You make coffee runs just to have something to do. On the way back from one of your trips you run into Dr Brooks, heading for your sister's room. Your heart begins to pound and you rush forward to intercept her.

"Any news?" you inquire breathlessly.

When Dr Brooks smiles, relief washes over you in waves. You know she's going to be fine before the words come out of her mouth.

You find Susan outside of Molly's room hanging up her cell phone. Seeing the flushed look on your face her eyes grow wide.

"Do you have news? Oh Meredith, please tell me it's good news, because then I'll have to go in there and tell your sister, and I can't bear to tell her any more bad news…"

"She's out of surgery, Dr Brooks said the baby-"

"Laura" Susan says softly "Molly named her Laura"

You smile "Laura is just fine. There's going to be a lot of recovery, but she's expected to-"

You don't even have a chance to finish your sentence before Susan is hugging you so tight you can't breathe.

"Thank you" she breaths against your hair.

You laugh, holding her close "I didn't do anything, I'm just the messenger."

Susan pulls back from you, her smile lighting up her whole face "you did do something. I couldn't have done this alone today. I wouldn't have understood half of what's going on. It's nice to have a doctor in the family."

You grin "you're about to have two. Come on; let's go tell Molly the good news."

The two of you head into Molly's room, but Susan stops just short of the door "you're an aunt" she beams at you, squeezing your arm.

You let this information register. Aunt Meredith- you try it out in your head and you can't help the smile that springs to your features.

You could get used to that.